The information in this factsheet will help you to understand more about mesothelioma. It is an agreed view on this cancer by medical experts. We hope that it answers some of your questions about this cancer, what causes it, its symptoms and how it is diagnosed and treated. If you have any other questions or concerns, please ask your GP or call the National Cancer Helpline 1800 200 700.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer that lines the wall of the chest and abdomen and the organsfound there.
The information in this factsheet is about pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. This is the most common type. Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining of the abdomen, the testicles and the heart. But these are rare.
What is pleural mesothelioma?
Your lungs are covered by two layers called the pleura. These layers are separated by a small
amount of fluid, which helps to keep them moist. The pleura are very thin and the fluid helps them to slide over each other easily. This allows your lungs to expand and contract as you breathe in and out. The inner layer that surrounds the lung is called the visceral layer, while the outer layer attached to the chest wall is called the parietal layer. Mesothelioma causes the pleura to become hard or thicken. This makes it more difficult for your lungs to expand and contract as normal, making it harder to breathe. Sometimes fluid builds up between the two layers. This also makes it harder for your lungs to breathe in and out. As a result, you will feel more breathless.
What causes mesothelioma?
The main cause of mesothelioma is believed to be asbestos. But research into other causes
s also taking place. Mesothelioma develops very slowly after asbestos exposure. It can take anything from 10 to 60 years for symptoms to appear. Asbestos exposure means f you come in contact with asbestos dust or fibres. Asbestos dust or fibres in the air cause harm, whereas undisturbed asbestos material is believednot harmful.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in rock. There are many types, which are all harmful. In the past, it was widely used in construction,industry and shipbuilding because it was resistant to heat and chemicals.
Is asbestos still used?
Asbestos is banned in some countries but not in others. By law you now cannot use, reuse, sell or supply materials containing asbestos in Ireland. Even so, there are many materials that still contain asbestos in Ireland. These are found in many products, buildings and structures – mostly to do with insulation, fire proofing, roofing and flooring. Under Irish law, if an employer suspects that asbestos is present, he or she must get a risk assessment done by a licensed company to find out the health risk for the employees.
If the material containing asbestos is in a safe condition, it can be left alone. But if the material
is a health risk to employees, a licensed companymust remove the material safely.
How is asbestos harmful?
When asbestos is broken or damaged, it releases fibres or dust into the air. These are then breathed into your lungs. The fibres are tiny and can reach the smallest areas of your lungs. They remain there, as they are too tiny to cough or breathe out. The body tries to break the fibres down and remove them, but with no success. Instead, it causes swelling in the nearby lung tissue. The tiny fibres can also move into the lungs and into the pleura, where they can remain and slowly develop into pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos fibres can also be swallowed and remain in the stomach or gullet. This causes swelling in the nearby tissues like in the lungs. This is how peritoneal mesothelioma develops.
Who gets mesothelioma?
The people usually affected by asbestos exposure include builders, plumbers, electricians and
shipbuilders. There have also been cases of mesothelioma in those who lived near an asbestos
factory. Family members of those who have worked with asbestos have been known to get
mesothelioma because of exposure to work clothes covered in asbestos dust. It is not known how much asbestos exposure is needed to get mesothelioma, but it is believed to be very little.
What should I do if I was exposed to asbestos?
If you have been exposed to asbestos fibres in the past, you are at risk of getting mesothelioma.
Do talk to your GP for advice. But it is important to remember that not everyone who has been
exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. It is not known why some people do and others do not. It is believed that it depends on the type of asbestos and the length of exposure.
Mesothelioma is not infectious and cannot be inherited. Family members do not have a higher
risk of getting the disease, unless they themselves have been exposed to asbestos.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer that lines the wall of the chest and abdomen and the organsfound there.
The information in this factsheet is about pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. This is the most common type. Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining of the abdomen, the testicles and the heart. But these are rare.
What is pleural mesothelioma?
Your lungs are covered by two layers called the pleura. These layers are separated by a small
amount of fluid, which helps to keep them moist. The pleura are very thin and the fluid helps them to slide over each other easily. This allows your lungs to expand and contract as you breathe in and out. The inner layer that surrounds the lung is called the visceral layer, while the outer layer attached to the chest wall is called the parietal layer. Mesothelioma causes the pleura to become hard or thicken. This makes it more difficult for your lungs to expand and contract as normal, making it harder to breathe. Sometimes fluid builds up between the two layers. This also makes it harder for your lungs to breathe in and out. As a result, you will feel more breathless.
What causes mesothelioma?
The main cause of mesothelioma is believed to be asbestos. But research into other causes
s also taking place. Mesothelioma develops very slowly after asbestos exposure. It can take anything from 10 to 60 years for symptoms to appear. Asbestos exposure means f you come in contact with asbestos dust or fibres. Asbestos dust or fibres in the air cause harm, whereas undisturbed asbestos material is believednot harmful.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in rock. There are many types, which are all harmful. In the past, it was widely used in construction,industry and shipbuilding because it was resistant to heat and chemicals.
Is asbestos still used?
Asbestos is banned in some countries but not in others. By law you now cannot use, reuse, sell or supply materials containing asbestos in Ireland. Even so, there are many materials that still contain asbestos in Ireland. These are found in many products, buildings and structures – mostly to do with insulation, fire proofing, roofing and flooring. Under Irish law, if an employer suspects that asbestos is present, he or she must get a risk assessment done by a licensed company to find out the health risk for the employees.
If the material containing asbestos is in a safe condition, it can be left alone. But if the material
is a health risk to employees, a licensed companymust remove the material safely.
How is asbestos harmful?
When asbestos is broken or damaged, it releases fibres or dust into the air. These are then breathed into your lungs. The fibres are tiny and can reach the smallest areas of your lungs. They remain there, as they are too tiny to cough or breathe out. The body tries to break the fibres down and remove them, but with no success. Instead, it causes swelling in the nearby lung tissue. The tiny fibres can also move into the lungs and into the pleura, where they can remain and slowly develop into pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos fibres can also be swallowed and remain in the stomach or gullet. This causes swelling in the nearby tissues like in the lungs. This is how peritoneal mesothelioma develops.
Who gets mesothelioma?
The people usually affected by asbestos exposure include builders, plumbers, electricians and
shipbuilders. There have also been cases of mesothelioma in those who lived near an asbestos
factory. Family members of those who have worked with asbestos have been known to get
mesothelioma because of exposure to work clothes covered in asbestos dust. It is not known how much asbestos exposure is needed to get mesothelioma, but it is believed to be very little.
What should I do if I was exposed to asbestos?
If you have been exposed to asbestos fibres in the past, you are at risk of getting mesothelioma.
Do talk to your GP for advice. But it is important to remember that not everyone who has been
exposed to asbestos gets mesothelioma. It is not known why some people do and others do not. It is believed that it depends on the type of asbestos and the length of exposure.
Mesothelioma is not infectious and cannot be inherited. Family members do not have a higher
risk of getting the disease, unless they themselves have been exposed to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take anything from 10 to 60 years to appear. In the early stages.....................
Read more : http://articlesmedical.blogspot.com/2011/04/asbestos-and-mesothelioma.html
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